Chapter 73: Arch Duke

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Arch Duke

"Duke Blacknight is arriving with his partner, Lady Alia Blacknight."

The large doors opened, and two figures stepped inside. Bennett, dressed in the formal attire of a duke, walked steadily, while Alia held gently onto her arm.

"Ah, so you must be the new Duke, the hero of Maine, yes?" A middle-aged man with brown hair approached, raising his glass of wine in greeting.

Bennett tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in mild confusion as she regarded him.

"Oh, I’m Count Edes."

As a waiter passed, Bennett took a glass of wine, raising it lightly before clinking it against his.

"So, you are Count Edes. Good to meet you."

Edes nodded with a smile, sipping his wine. "It’s also good to meet the great hero. And congratulations on claiming your rightful position."

Bennett gave a small nod. The surrounding nobles immediately fell silent, their whispers dying away as all eyes shifted toward the grand staircase.

From above, the Emperor and Empress descended, with Crown Prince David following closely behind.

"Welcome to the ball, nobles," Emperor William announced, his voice steady but curt. "As you all know, I don’t like to talk much....so let the ball begin."

With that, he turned and sat on his throne-like seat. Empress Evelyn sighed softly, leaning toward him to whisper.

"Do you really need to say it like that? How many times have I told you to open the ball properly?"

"Dear, how about you greet the guests at the next ball?" he said with bright eyes.

Evelyn’s face went deadpan. "Are you joking?"

William blinked and ran a hand through his hair. "Why would I joke? I’m serious."

"Sigh." Evelyn rubbed her temples. "I can’t believe you. Don’t you know that the one who greets the guests must appear as a commanding figure? If I

"Oh? If you want, I can give you my position."

Evelyn’s teeth ground together, her fist tightening in frustration. She drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to be calm.

"William," she said with a strained smile, "we’ve had this talk before, haven’t we? I have no interest in holding power. And you can’t just say things like that in public."

"Okay, forget it." Evelyn leaned back in her chair, waving the matter aside. "When are you going to announce the engagement? I want my friend’s son as my son-in-law as soon as possible."

William rested his chin on his hand, his gaze sweeping over the five other ducal families present. "You know, if I announce it here, everyone will think I’m favoring Bennett. The other dukes will move to block the marriage for the sake of their own power."

Evelyn nodded, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Well, then, let it be a test for that Bennett. Even if I want him as my son-in-law, I wouldn’t hand over my daughter to someone who doesn’t understand the importance of responsibility. I want to see how he handles the pressure."

David, seated just behind them, clenched his fists, his hands trembling as he struggled to hold himself together.

’No... no, I can’t cause a scene here.’

His gaze lifted, watching as William rose from his seat. David pressed a hand against his chest, the pounding so violent it felt as if his heart might stop altogether.

---

"Ladies and gentlemen," William’s voice carried across the hall, firm and commanding, "stop your fun and give me your attention for five minutes."

The nobles fell silent at once, all eyes turning toward the emperor.

"I have a very important announcement to make. As emperor, I have chosen a marriage partner for one of my royal descendants."

A ripple of shock and whispers spread through the hall.

"W-what did he say?"

"So... does that mean one of the princesses is to marry?"

"But with whom...?"

"Hah, most likely someone from one of the dukes’ families, or some other empire prince."

Bennett’s grip on the wine glass tightened, the stem threatening to snap under her fingers. Beside her, Alia noticed the subtle tremor running through her arm.

"Are you alright?" Alia leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper in Bennett’s ear. "Shouldn’t this be... a happy thing?"

"Y-yeah... I’m happy." Bennett forced the corners of her lips upward, showing a brittle smile.

"The person who is going to be engaged is my daughter, Lilian. And the one I have chosen... is Duke Darknight."

The hall froze.

"What...?" Count Eres nearly dropped his glass, his gaze flickering from Bennett to the emperor in disbelief.

Bennett frowned, sensing a piercing stare on her. She turned her eyes slightly...only to meet the cold, burning gaze of a man with crimson hair and eyes like blood. His killing intent washed over her, as if daring her to move.

"Hmph." Bennett huffed, her gray eyes flashing blue for an instant. The suffocating killing intent melted away from her body, replaced by a pressure so heavy it crashed down on the red-haired man like a wave.

’Does he really think I’ll be shaken by a mere one-star sword master? What a joke.’

The man’s expression stiffened, but he dared not move.

From his throne, William felt the brief clash ripple through the hall. Instead of interfering, he grinned in amusement, eyes glinting with interest.

"The marriage date will not be announced yet," William declared, his voice laced with amusement.

"I have decided they will meet weekly to build their relationship. Once I am satisfied, I will declare the marriage date."

William turned his head toward one corner of the hall. His lips curved into a sly smile."What do you think, Archduke?"

Gasps and whispers rippled through the nobles."The Archduke is here?""How rare... he never attends these gatherings."

Curious, Bennett followed their gaze. Against the far wall stood a tall man with silver hair and piercing silver eyes, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He arched a brow and shrugged.

"I can’t advise on such matters."

Evelyn’s hand shot out, pinching William’s waist as his grin widened."William, don’t you dare," she hissed under her breath.

"Yeah, yeah." William waved her off, mischief glittering in his eyes. "How could you give advice anyway? You’re still single at thirty-five."

A vein throbbed at the Archduke’s temple. His voice was low, and he calmly said."...Don’t regret it."

Archduke grinned and said. "Ah, but what can I do? My bravado fades the moment I remember....this emperor once begged his wife’s brother to arrange a meeting between his crush, if the emperor himself wasn’t able to generate the bravery to talk to his crush, what can I, as arch duke, do?"

The hall erupted in stifled laughter and muffled coughs, nobles desperately trying to hide their amusement. Evelyn buried her face in her hand, wishing the floor would swallow her whole.

’Aghh, brother Leon, you didn’t need to start this topic.’

Leon’s gaze fell on Evelyn, glaring at her through her fingers. He coughed and turned to look in another direction.

"Laugh to your hearts’ content, then," William said smoothly, his smile never faltering. "But my wife is growing uncomfortable. Here, gentlemen...."

A golden aura erupted, flooding the hall. The air grew heavy, pressing down on everyone’s shoulders. William’s eyes gleamed like molten gold, and nobles paled, their laughter dying in their throats.

Bennett reacted instantly....she stepped forward, shielding Alia with her own body as the weight of the aura bore down.

"I am not uncomfortable," Evelyn cut in sharply, tugging on William’s arm. "Stop throwing your aura around."

"Really?" William turned to her, gaze softening. At her firm nod, the golden pressure melted away like mist.

"Then," he said, voice returning to its usual lazy drawl, "you may laugh freely if my wife isn’t displeased."

But not a single noble dared. The hall shifted back into forced chatter, everyone suddenly far too busy with their wine and empty plates to risk another glance at the imperial couple.

David’s gaze was fixed the entire time on Bennett.

’Should I go talk to him...But I cant appear to be too close with him right now.’

---

’Finally, the ball is over... why does it feel more exhausting than a day of sword practice?’

Bennett sighed inwardly, lifting her hand to guide Alia toward the waiting carriage. She helped her sister inside, then took a seat across from her.

The ride passed in silence until the carriage rolled to a halt before the mansion. Bennett stepped down first, then offered her hand to Alia as they disembarked.

"Welcome back, my lord, my lady," the butler bowed low. After the polite greeting, his eyes flickered with unease.

"My lord... Duke Victor has arrived. He and his party are resting in the guest wing."

At his words, Alia’s fists curled tightly, her pale knuckles betraying her tension.

"When did they arrive?" Bennett asked, her voice little bit irritated.

"Shortly after you departed for the palace, my lord," the butler replied carefully. sensing her bad mood.